Welcome to this issue of the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter!
This newsletter goes out to nearly 2000 individual emails and is posted on our facebook page
each week. It is designed to keep you informed of the latest info from your local Chamber of Commerce. Feel free to forward this Newsletter to someone who should be a member or is interested in information about what is going on in the Cheboygan Area. We want our information to get to as many inboxes as possible! Be sure to also visit our web site and community calendar at www.cheboygan.com/calendar/ for more information.

Some things to not miss in this issue....

Dress Down for the Shut Down

Business After Hours

Walk 4 Warmth

Kabin Fever Fundraiser

Shivaree Info

and lots more great information from our members!

Have a Great Day!

Scott Herceg, CAEExecutive Director

Do You Know About Everything the Chamber Offers with Membership?

Join us at one of our bimonthly "Make the Most of your Membership" classes to learn about all the benefits of being a chamber member. We offer 3 convenient class times, 8 am, noon and 5:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of every other month beginning January 23rd.

When the US Government experiences a "shut down" it can be a scary thing for many families around the Cheboygan Area. The most visible, are our families that are connected to the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. I think every President and Congress going back at least 20 years have had a shut down. So, unfortunately, this is becoming far more common than it should be.

This time though, there is something different than all the rest. This time, the Cheboygan Area is stepping up to help those families in the area that are affected by the uncertainty of when they will receive their next pay check. This effort doesn't have anything to do with whether people are Republicans or Democrats. This effort is about helping our neighbors have a little more piece of mind at a time when factors are outside of their control.

In this newsletter, you will see several articles from Chamber Members that describe how they are trying to help. The most wide spread effort is the "Dress Down for the Shut Down." Several of our area Banks and Credit Unions are leading the charge on this project and have established fund collection points in their buildings for other businesses and customers to participate. One of our local grass roots citizens groups, BringIt! Cheboygan is also encouraging donations. The Chamber is helping to collect those donations here at our office because BringIt! Cheboygan does not have a physical location for people to go to.

This is a total community wide support effort and the Chamber is one of many organizations, businesses and groups that are involved. We are proud to help serve as a connector, to help point people that want to help, to the right sources. We have been receiving calls and e-mails all day long from different businesses in and around Cheboygan that want to help. The Cheboygan County Offices and the City of Cheboygan are both participating in this effort to support affected families as well.
If you have any questions about how you can help, please feel free to give us a call and we will do our best to get you pointed in the right direction where your support can have the most impact.

It is so great to see so much support for these local families that are in need. And it really makes me proud to be part of this community! But, I guess we shouldn't be surprised. After all, "That's Cheboygan!" Right? This is what we do. We have some of the biggest hearts in Northern Michigan!

Thank you and have a great rest of your day!

Scott Herceg

Executive Director

Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce

Member News

This section is for news from our Members!

Being able to include information in this newsletter is an exclusive member benefit. If you are not currently a member, but would like to be included in this publication please contact the Chamber office to find out how.

Do you have a special event coming up that you want to get the word out about?

Do you have a new product that you want potential clients to know about?

Are you in search of new staff?

Do you have staff that you want to brag about?

This is your section to get your message out to members and the public..... Let us help you tell your story!

Awakon Is Funding No Interest Payroll Replacement Loans To Federal Employees Impacted By The Government Shutdown.

Effective immediately, Awakon Federal Credit Union is funding No Interest Payroll Replacement Loans- with deferred payment options, to ease the financial burden on our local Federal Employees who are affected by the Government shut down. In addition, a low interest financial assistance program is available to government contractors also impacted by the shutdown. Some restrictions may apply.

If you are in need, please call 989.733.8557

Awakon's Staff will be participating in a "Dressdown for the Shutdown" this Friday. Staff will donate $5 each to wear casual clothing to raise money for a designated account to help ease the financial burden on our local Coast Guard families affected by the shutdown. Donations will also be accepted in our branches by community members.

Cheboygan: Victoria J. Hand has been appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer & Cashier of Citizens National Bank (CNB) by the Board of Directors at its December 6, 2018 meeting.

Recognizing her invaluable contributions to the bank, President & CEO Matthew E. Keene stated "Vicki has been with CNB for nearly 40 years and has served the bank in many capacities. She has been a lender, compliance officer, supervisor of deposit & loan operations, support center and information technology. I have no doubt she will continue to excel in her new position."...
Click Here for Full Press Release

Cheboygan, MI - The board of directors of
Citizens National Bank (CNB) recently announced the promotion of Jodie L. Borowicz, C.P.A. to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "This promotion is certainly well-deserved as Jodie has been a true asset to the CNB team. She has restructured our accounting department and brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the bank," stated president & CEO Matthew Keene.

Ms. Borowicz joined the bank in 2016 as the Controller and was quickly promoted to Vice President in 2017. Ms. Borowicz graduated from the Financial Managers School-Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2017. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University, with a major in accounting and a minor in business law, and is a licensed C.P.A. in the State of Michigan. Ms. Borowicz is a 2011 graduate of the Tampa Connections, a Young Professional Leadership Development in Florida where she resided for a number of years before returning to northern Michigan.
Click Here for Full Press Release

The
Straits Area Community Foundation (SACF) is accepting applications for its 2019 competitive scholarship program. Current and former graduates of high schools in Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City are invited to apply.

Many of the scholarship opportunities available through SACF depend upon the high school from which a student is graduating, the college they plan to attend, or their planned field of study. Additionally, some scholarships are for students who have already graduated from high school, and also for those planning to attend a certificate program or trade school. To be eligible, students must complete the application by the March 1, 2019 deadline.

"For those who are familiar with our scholarship program, there are a few significant changes this year," said Community Foundation Program Director Julie Wiesen. "While the applications are available sooner, the application deadline has been moved to an earlier date as well. All scholarship applications are now due on March 1st."

Get the latest news, happenings and announcements from the City of Cheboygan with the "City Review" which is the City of Cheboygan's Newsletter. The winter edition is now out and may be accessed
by clicking this link.

TIA announced the recipients of its Going PRO Talent Fund (formerly the Skilled Trade Training Fund) awards for fiscal year 2019, and $335,420 will go to employers in the Northeast Michigan region, which covers Alpena, Alcona, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, a regional workforce development agency, will notify the 12 employers this week that their applications are being funded in amounts ranging from $1,375 to $135,361.

Mackinac State Historic Parks Accepting Applications for Artist-in-Residence Program

MACKINAC ISLAND, MICH. - Mackinac Island has long been an inspiration for artists. Mackinac State Historic Parks is providing an opportunity to let it inspire you.

The Mackinac State Historic Parks Artist-In-Residence Program is designed to promote and encourage the creation of artistic works inspired by the history, natural wonders, and beauty of Mackinac Island. The residencies are available to writers, composers, sculptors, and visual artists including photographers.

The two- and three-week residencies are available beginning in early June and continuing through early October.

"We are excited to see this project come to fruition in 2019," said Mackinac State Historic Parks Director Phil Porter. "We are looking forward to hosting talented artists and watching them create art inspired by Mackinac."

106.3 FM is a unique blend of soft rock paired with the smoothest hits from the 70s and 80s.

You'll hear the most popular, refreshing tunes from superstars such as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Steely Dan, plus many soft favorites rarely heard on radio these days - from artists like Michael McDonald, Air Supply, Christopher Cross, Ambrosia and many other fun and relaxing favorites.

Let the wild rumpus start! Help raise funds for new grooming equipment for Wildwood Hills Pathway, while being challenged to ski a longer distance than you normally take on during an average day in the woods! Enjoy groomed classic ski trails in the company of other supporters. Ski, have fun and help the Friends of Wildwood Pathway and the
Top of Michigan Trails Council raise money to provide new grooming equipment. Michigan Department of Natural Resources runs the groomer on the trails but the Friends of Wildwood pays for that grooming and WE NEED YOUR HELP! This fun, non-competitive event is open to all ages, and includes lunch and great prizes. Wild Things theme is based on Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are.

Disclaimer: Information presented in this section of the Chamber Newsletter does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce or its membership. It is provided here as information only from other regional organizations that the Chamber has a business relationship with. All decisions made by the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and or Staff are done so locally and independently in accordance with our bylaws and policies and for the betterment of our membership.

Cheboygan Economic Development Group

The Cheboygan Economic Development Group is a private sector organization of Cheboygan County business people, community leaders, and volunteers who care deeply about helping create economic growth and educational opportunities for our citizens in this unique and wonderful corner of northern Michigan.

The Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce is an Associate Partner with the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance who advocates for our members to Michigan State Government as a collective Northern Michigan voice. If you would like to find out more about the Alliance and what it is doing for Northern Michigan please
go to their web site by clicking here.

Cheboygan Area Chamber Partners with Regional Economic Development Organization

For several years now the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce has been a partner with the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance in their efforts provide economic development resources to Northern Michigan. Follow
this link to see what NLEA is doing to grow our regional economy.